(Editor’s note: A job description for a Correctional Officer was posted July 23, 1957. The bulletin also included application instructions, pay scale and information on the examination. The position was clearly stated to be “open to men only.” In the early 1970s, women were allowed to become correctional officers. Today, women are in every role in CDCR from custody to leadership. There was also an age limit of 45. Today, there is no upper age limit. To read a current bulletin, visit http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Career_Opportunities/POR/docs/COBulletin.pdf.)

Issued July 23, 1957

Correctional Officer

The job

You will maintain order and supervise the conduct of prison inmates in all phases of their activities. Your duties will include overseeing inmates on work details; accompanying inmates outside institution grounds; censoring mail; supervising visits to inmates; and counseling and endeavoring to modify anti-social attitudes and behaviors of inmates. You must be willing to work at night and to report for duty at any time that emergencies arise.

Salary

The starting salary is $358 a month with a maximum of $436. A merit salary adjustment to $376 is granted after six months satisfactory service. One year later the salary is increased to $395.

Promotion

The Correctional Officer classification is the entering level of a career service. After two years of employment, promotion is offered to Correctional Sergeant with a maximum salary of $505. Promotion to higher classes is possible with further experience. Promotion is by competitive examination on a merit basis.

These salaries are effective July 1, 1957.

Requirements

You must meet the requirements described below.

Age limit: Not to exceed 45 years at time of examination.

Experience: Two years full-time paid working experience. (Military service is considered as qualifying experience.) College training may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

AND

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for a maximum of two years of this educational requirement on a basis of one year of experience being equivalent to one year of education.

How to apply

Applications are available at the institutions listed below and at State Personnel Board offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Francisco. (Editor’s note: today applications are online. More information can be found at http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/career_opportunities/.)

Examinations are held at these locations where there is a need for Correctional Officers and employment lists are not sufficient.

Correctional institutions

Deuel Vocational Institution, near Tracy, San Joaquin County

California State Prison at Folsom, near Sacramento

California Institution for Men at Chino, San Bernardino County

California State Prison at San Quentin, Marin County

California State Prison at Soledad, Monterey County

California Men’s Colony, San Luis Obispo

Tehachapi Branch, California Institution for Men, Kern County

California Medical Facility, near Vacaville, Solano County

The Examination

Written test – You need to earn a passing score in a written test before being interviewed. If you are successful in the entire examination, your score on the written test will determine your standing on the employment list. The written test will be of the objective type and will cover these topics: Ability to control and maintain discipline among inmates; ability to following directions; ability to analyze situations.

Interview – If you successfully complete the written test, you must qualify in a personal interview, which will cover education, experience and personal qualifications. Required personal qualifications include willingness to work at night and to report for duty at any time emergencies arise; understanding of inmates; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; leadership ability; tact; emotional stability; good personal and social adjustment for correctional work; courage; alertness; and other personal qualifications essential in good public employees.

14 Comments

Vertie
on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 9:32 am

Excellent article. I always enjoy reading about the History of Corrections.

The Inflation Calculator
What cost $350 in 1950 would cost $3623.86 in 2017.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2017 and 1950,
they would cost you $350 and $34.21 respectively.
so the pay wasn’t as bad as it sounds…

Great article! Love those time capsule moments! Keep in mind that the average yearly imcome for a family of 4 was about $5,000 in 1957. Putting those officers, at top pay grade, smack in the middle of the middle class with one income earner. We only need to make about $72,000 annualy to be there today.

Excellent suggestion. We have added the original bulletin to the bottom of the article. Thank you for reading.

Lisa
on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 9:27 am

Interesting article. The job description has expanded but is essentially the same but the pay,WOW! Wonder what the Officers of the 1950s think of what we get paid now, factoring in the time difference of course. Much appreciation for the path they paved for our profession.